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Trump ordered to pay New York Times $392,638 in legal fees for failed lawsuit

2024-01-15 00:00:00.0 ABC新闻-政治新闻原网页

Trump ordered to pay New York Times $392,638 in legal fees for failed lawsuit Trump unsuccessfully sued the paper in relation to his tax records.

By Peter Charalambous

January 13, 2024, 4:33 AM

58:13

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media at a Washington hotel, Jan. 9, 2...Show MoreShow More

Susan Walsh/AP

A New York judge ordered Donald Trump to pay The New York Times $392,638 in legal fees Friday following the former president's failed lawsuit against the newspaper.

In 2021, Trump sued his niece Mary Trump, The New York Times and three of its reporters over an alleged breach of a confidentiality agreement related to his tax records. Trump alleged that the reporters were "motivated by a personal vendetta" when they engaged in a "insidious plot" to get his personal tax records.

MORE: Video: New York Times reports Trump avoided paying taxes for years

New York Supreme Court Justice Robert Reed dismissed the case last year, clearing the way for the Times to recoup its fees.

"Courts have long recognized that reporters are entitled to engage in legal and ordinary news-gathering activities without fear of tort liability -- as these actions are at the very core of protected first amendment activity," Reed wrote.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media at a Washington hotel, Jan. 9, 2024, after attending a hearing before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals at the federal courthouse in Washington.

Susan Walsh/AP

Trump opposed the amount of money requested by the New York Times, arguing that the legal work included "unjustified or duplicative work and exorbitant hourly rates."

"Considering the complexity of the issues presented in this action, the number of causes of action, the experience, ability and reputation of defendants' attorneys, the considerable amount in dispute, and the attorneys' success in dismissing the complaint against their defendants … the court finds that $392,638.69 is a reasonable value for the legal services rendered," Reed said in a decision posted on the court's docket Friday.